So here we are on another cruise! It might not appear to be work, but it is important for us as a company to experience the different cruise lines and what they have to offer our clients. This year, we have made a specific commitment to broadening our knowledge on the more upmarket smaller ships – in the summer, Ashley sailed on the new Explora I and has done several ship visits around the country with AE Expeditions, Oceania Cruises and Sea Dream.
I was delighted to be invited by our trade press, Travel Trade Gazette (TTG), to join them on board the Crystal Symphony for a four-night sailing from Barcelona to Monte Carlo, and over the next couple of weeks, I’ll share my experiences with you in our weekly Journal.
As this was not a scheduled cruise, I organised my own flight and transfer to join the ship in Barcelona. Given I was flying in from Faro, I had to succumb to the only viable option, which unfortunately was Ryanair.
Flights are normally included as part of the cruise ‘package’ and something that we always recommend to clients, as there is nothing worse than the stress of a flight delay or cancellation and your ship sailing without you! When you book the cruise as a ‘package’, then everything is the responsibility of the cruise line to sort out delays and cancellations, along with the financial protection they provide.
Thankfully, the flight was on time and the transfer to the ship was very easy. Barcelona Airport is only a short taxi ride the port and I received a very warm relaxed greeting on arrival.
From the moment I stepped on board the Symphony, there was a strong sense of calm luxury. There were no crowds of people (unlike those on the mega-ships), which means more space, less hustle and bustle and less congestion in the public areas. The décor is fresh and stylish after its extensive 2023 refit, tand he suites have all been upgraded with neutral and ocean-inspired tones. The public areas feel elegant but not overly formal, and there is an air of sophistication without stuffiness.
So let me tell you a little bit about the history of the Crystal Symphony, a storied name in the world of luxury cruising.
Launched initially in 1995, it served as one of the flagships of the ‘ultra–luxury’ cruise segment. Its history, design, renovations and revival reflect both the challenges and resilience of the cruise industry. The ships’ construction was carried out by Kvaerner Masa Yards at Turku in Finland. The Crystal Symphony officially entered service in May 1995 with the actress Angela Lansbury as its’ godmother and its’ inaugural cruise departing New York on a 24-night trans-American route via the Panama Canal, visiting Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera.
For those who like Technical specifications:
Gross Tonnage ≈ 51,044 GT
Length (LOA) 238 m (≈ 781 ft)
Beam ~ 30.2 m (≈ 99 ft)
Draft ~ 7.6 m
Propulsion Diesel-electric: six Wärtsilä-Sulzer 9ZAL40S engines driving two electric propeller motors
Installed Power ~ 36,338 kW (≈ 49,392 hp)
Speed Service speed ~ 20 knots; top speed ~ 21 knots
Passenger Capacity Historically ~ ≈ 848, but in practice, many sailings have 590–679 guests
Crew ~ 545 (varies)
Decks 12 decks (8 of them passenger accessible)
In 2022, Crystal Cruises’ former parent company (Genting Hong Kong) experienced financial troubles. Following the pandemic, the ship was seized over unpaid bills and later that year in June, A&K Travel Group acquired the Crystal brand and its two ocean vessels (Symphony and Serenity) for about USD 25 million.
The ship underwent a full refurbishment in Trieste, Italy, starting in mid-2022, and officially returned to service on 1 September 2023. The relaunch included reducing the number of suites to provide more spacious accommodation, boosting the guest-to-crew ratio, redesigning public areas and preserving the Crystal’s hallmark of high service and luxury standards under new management.
In next week’s Journal, I will share my experience of the various accommodation options and the range of restaurants on board.
